The phrase denotes the activity of acquiring, at no cost, a digital document containing the 2017 edition of the National Electrical Code. This document, typically in Portable Document Format (PDF), outlines safety standards for electrical installations. An example would be a user seeking a website offering an unrestricted download of the specified code in PDF format.
Access to a reference document detailing accepted electrical practices offers numerous advantages. It ensures compliance with safety regulations, potentially mitigating risks associated with electrical hazards. Historically, the availability of such documents has often been restricted to paying members of professional organizations or through direct purchase, making the prospect of unrestricted digital access appealing to a broad audience.